Cabernet Franc AOC 2020 1500ml Magnum

The Cabernet Franc AOC 2020 from Clau de Nell is powerful and elegant in equal measure. In the glass, a deep purple with violet reflections; the nose already shows the juiciness that carries the whole wine, along with a cool, herbal quality of depth.

Clau de Nell is located in Ambillou-Château in Anjou, 90 metres above sea level and 120 kilometres from the Atlantic, where cool nights meet warm days. The vines are rooted partly in clay-silt soil over sandstone, partly in red flint over tuffeau. Anne-Claude Leflaive acquired the estate, then fallow for three years, in 2008 together with her husband Christian Jacques; since her death in 2015, he has continued the work together with cellar master Sylvain Potin.

Pure Cabernet Franc from vines aged 45 to 55 years, with a yield of 40 hl/ha. Hand-harvested in 12-kilo crates, destemmed, then fermented over 30 days with only occasional pumping-over. Ageing lasts twelve months on fine lees, then continues in Burgundian pièces of five to seven years; the finished cuvée matures for a further six months in large oak cask.

Dark fruit of blackberry and cassis, with the variety's typical note of green bell pepper. Polished tannin and lively acidity give the wine its line, graphite marks the long finish. Serve at 16 °C, decanted, in a large glass.

A wine for intense cuisine: rack of lamb with okra and polenta, grilled beef loin with ratatouille vegetables, or gnocchi with melted tomatoes and rosemary.

The conversion to biodynamic farming took place in 2000, and the label carries the Demeter logo. 13.0% vol., dry, bottled in the 1500ml Magnum.